As a team manager, providing effective feedback and conducting performance reviews are important to your team’s growth and success. These processes are more than just routine—they’re essential for enhancing productivity and building strong team dynamics.
Here’s a guide to help you level up your game of the art of feedback and performance reviews:
1. Feedback: A Conversation, Not a Critique
Feedback isn’t about criticism; it’s about guiding your team towards improvement. Here’s how to do it right:
Be Timely and Relevant: Address issues as they arise, not months later. (Months later is not going to help anyone, not you, not your team, not anyone) This helps prevent bad habits from forming.
Make it Constructive: Focus on solutions. Instead of saying, “You’re not meeting deadlines,” try, “I’ve noticed some delays. How can we ensure deadlines are met?” - You have to show empathy because if you talk to your team as if they're dumb, then you are creating a toxic environment
Be Specific: Clear feedback is more useful. Replace vague comments with specifics, like “Your last project was well-organized and improved the workflow.”
Balance Positive and Negative Feedback: Include encouragement along with guidance to motivate your team.
Encourage Dialogue: Foster open communication. Allow your team to share their thoughts and challenges. (My favorite! Got to have that open door policy)
2. Performance Reviews: A Growth Opportunity, Not a Stress Test
Performance reviews don’t have to be stressful. They’re a chance for development: (If your team sees that you're stressed, what do you think is going to happen)
Prepare head of time: Review goals, achievements, and feedback before the meeting. (Do NOT go in blind)
Set Clear Expectations: Establish measurable goals from the start. This gives a clear framework for assessment.
Focus on Development: Discuss growth areas and provide resources or mentorship to help your team reach their goals. (This is where a personal and professional plan comes into play)
Create an Action Plan: Identify improvement areas with concrete step & timelines
3. Foster a Culture of Continuous Feedback
Make feedback a regular part of team communication. Regular check-ins help address issues early, celebrate wins, and maintain clarity. This ongoing dialogue turns performance reviews into a natural part of team development.
Mastering feedback and performance reviews is crucial for creating a positive and productive and positive work environment by humanizing the workplace.
It’s not just about correcting mistakes—it’s about guiding your team to reach their full potential.
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Talk soon,
Sara (Rembert) Lowell
Reaching out for pricing.
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